(1) The Waiting was… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two bands called The Waiting.
(1) The Waiting was a Christian pop rock band, consisting of Brad Olsen (vocals, guitar), Todd Olsen (guitar, vocals), Clark Leake (bass), and Brandon Thompson (drums, percussion).
Early albums by "The Waiting" were guitar driven alternative rock that drew fans with clever songwriting and introspective lyrics that stood out from most Christian rock of the day. The band's later albums moved towards a more polished pop sound and suffered less enthusiastic reviews for it. The Waiting officially broke up in late 2003.
As of 2009, the following was known about the band members:
- Brad Olsen continues write and record music. He resides in Salt Lake City, Utah and is an Arts Director at K2 The Church.
- Todd Olsen resides in Atlanta, Georgia working as a music producer.
- Clark Leake received a Masters in Theology from St. Vladimir Orthodox Seminary in May, 2007.
(2) The Waiting is an indie band from Limburg Province, The Netherlands, active since 2019. Members are:
Ruud Versteden - vocals, guitar
Len David - guitar, keys, vocals
Theo de Grood - bass
Franky Gomez - drums
Israel
The Waiting Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since some years ago, it's been my fate to sail November seas,
And this I know.
No sailor was I born, no seaman was I bred
Still, the sea has carved an eye for sinking ships and floating dead.
Call me Israel
I sail a sea of sand, and at the journey's close,
Who would turn against the wind, who would barrel out his chest
Sail his vessel to the brink and think the fall will give him rest?
I wrestle with the wind, I wrestle with the waves
And ropes tear in my skin and still, within the storm...
Call me Israel
Since some years ago, it's been my fate to sail November seas
Inside my soul
And I wrestle with the wind, and I wrestle with the waves
And ropes tear in my skin and still, within the storm, within the sea,
Within the rage
I can see You...
Call me Israel
I sail a sea of sand
I'm the very soul my Father holds forever in His hand
The song Israel by The Waiting is a deeply introspective and metaphorical piece that explores the artist's relationship with the sea and with God. The song's opening lines "Call me Israel, Since some years ago, it's been my fate to sail November seas, And this I know" suggest that the artist has identified with Israel, and perhaps sees this as a metaphor for his own spiritual journey. The sea, in this case, may represent the turbulent and unpredictable nature of life, while Israel represents a sense of belonging and connection.
The artist goes on to describe his experiences at sea, highlighting the fact that he is not a natural sailor. He has had to learn to navigate the waters and deal with the danger and uncertainty that comes with it. However, as much as he struggles with the wind and the waves, he is ultimately able to see God's presence through the storm. The final lines of the song "I'm the very soul my Father holds forever in His hand" suggest that the artist has found comfort and security in his relationship with God, despite the challenges he faces.
Overall, Israel is a song about perseverance, faith, and the unrelenting power of the sea. Through vivid metaphors and introspective lyrics, The Waiting creates a powerful and uplifting piece that is sure to resonate with listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Call me Israel
I identify with Israel, a people who have faced struggles and hardships throughout history.
Since some years ago, it's been my fate to sail November seas,
For some time now, I have been navigating through challenging times, much like a ship battling rough waves in November.
And this I know.
I am aware of the difficulties I face and the toll it takes on me.
No sailor was I born, no seaman was I bred
I was not born with the innate ability to handle these struggles or withstand the storms of life.
Still, the sea has carved an eye for sinking ships and floating dead.
Nevertheless, I have become skilled at recognizing hardship and tragedy.
I sail a sea of sand, and at the journey's close,
My struggles are like navigating a vast desert, and I wonder what will happen at the end of my journey.
Will you suppose a man is still a man
At the end, will I still be recognizable as the person I once was?
Who would turn against the wind, who would barrel out his chest
Despite facing adversity, I refuse to give up or back down.
Sail his vessel to the brink and think the fall will give him rest?
Even if it means taking risks, I am willing to do so, in the hopes of finding peace at the end.
I wrestle with the wind, I wrestle with the waves
I am constantly struggling against the forces that seek to bring me down.
And ropes tear in my skin and still, within the storm...
Even as I suffer, I hold on and fight through the pain of my struggles.
Inside my soul
These struggles are internal, deeply affecting my being.
Within the rage
I am consumed by anger and frustration at times.
I can see You...
Through it all, I am reminded of my faith and the presence of a higher power in my life.
I'm the very soul my Father holds forever in His hand
Ultimately, I believe that my soul is in the hands of my creator, who will care for me even in my darkest moments.
Contributed by Aaliyah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben
on Staring at a Bird
Would love to hear a more detailed account of what this song meant to the writer. I’d say it’s at least in my top 100 songs of all time. It encourages me to try and see myself from Gods perspective and not let negativity keep me pinned down.